PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE – In a significant victory against illicit trade, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted and taken custody of 16 containers loaded with fake and substandard regulated products at Onne Port in Port Harcourt. The seized consignment is estimated to be worth a staggering N20.5 billion, representing a major blow to criminal networks smuggling dangerous goods into the country.
The intercepted cargo includes a vast array of illegal items, ranging from highly controlled pharmaceuticals to unwholesome food products, all smuggled in flagrant violation of Nigeria’s stringent regulatory standards.
Details of the Massive Seizure
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the haul comprised 11 containers of various unregistered and banned pharmaceutical products and 4 containers of unwholesome tomato paste. The Nigeria Customs Service officially handed over these items to NAFDAC’s Director-General on Saturday, a clear demonstration of the robust institutional collaboration between the two agencies.
Among the particularly alarming items intercepted were:
- 1.3 million bottles of codeine syrup, a highly controlled prescription-only medication often abused for its opioid properties.
- 12.6 million tablets of tramadol, a potent and addictive opioid commonly used for managing post-operative pain in adults, but frequently diverted for illicit use.
- 9.3 million tablets of falsified and substandard branded diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescribed for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, whose falsification poses severe health risks.
- 280 packages of Hyergra tablets, identified as a falsified version of sildenafil citrate, a drug used for managing erectile dysfunction, highlighting the dangers of unregulated sexual enhancement products.
- 4 containers of unregistered and substandard tomato paste, which could pose immediate and long-term health hazards due to unknown contaminants or processing methods.
NAFDAC DG Issues Stern Warning to Illicit Importers
Commending the Nigeria Customs Service for their unwavering collaboration, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued a strong and unequivocal warning to all individuals involved in the illicit trade of fake and substandard goods.
“I warned unscrupulous merchants both at home and abroad, that under our watch, substandard and fake food and drug products will not be allowed access to our people,” she declared. Prof. Adeyeye also bravely addressed personal threats, stating, “Recent threats of death, kidnapping of our staff and other attempts to dampen our zeal will continue to fail, because God, as well as our people are on our side.”
She urged all well-meaning Nigerians to partner with NAFDAC by reporting any suspected cases of manufacture, importation, distribution, or sale of fake and substandard products through NAFDAC’s offices nationwide or via the Agency’s various social media channels.
Grave Health Risks from Consuming Unwholesome Products
Prof. Adeyeye underscored the severe health risks associated with consuming unwholesome and fake products. These dangers include:
- Acute food poisoning and gastrointestinal illnesses caused by adulterants in expired food items.
- Nutritional deficiencies and reduced food value.
- Chronic organ damage resulting from toxic metabolites and heavy metals present in fake products.
- A heightened risk of cancer due to expired colorants, dyes, and preservatives.
- Allergic and respiratory reactions triggered by hidden allergens or artificial additives.
- Food addiction and cognitive disruption linked to expired ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which are often engineered to be excessively high in sugar, fat, and salt.
Emphasizing the critical importance of strong institutional collaboration, Prof. Adeyeye pledged to continue developing new strategies to engage well-meaning individuals and organizations. She stressed that safeguarding the nation’s health is a shared responsibility, one that NAFDAC cannot shoulder alone.
